The inaugural session in North Mitrovica was held under tension and marked by debates between Serbian and Albanian representatives.

The session began with the swearing-in of assembly members. Some assembly members placed the Serbian flag in front of them. However, the Kosovo flag and emblem, as well as a photograph of President Vjosa Osmani, were displayed in the hall. The session was conducted in accordance with the Law on Local Self-Government, and the agenda also featured the Kosovo emblem.

Marko Jakšić, an assembly member from the Serbian Civic Initiative, had placed the Serbian flag in front of him during the oath-taking but removed it during his speech, stating that he was not there to create tension.

“Before I say what I want to say, I am not here to create tension or test anyone’s strength; I am here to work in the interest of all citizens of North Mitrovica. That is why I have received great support… At this moment, as the chair, I feel threatened and unsafe because, in this hall, besides us and the journalists, there are also members of the police. I asked my Albanian colleagues if they are afraid of us, the Serbs, and they said no,” he added, noting that some do not feel free to do their work.

Ermir Azemi, an assembly member from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, urged that the session not be politicized and that it proceed in accordance with the law.

“As for fear, we are in our home, in our state. We have no need to be afraid. I don’t know who here is police and who is civilian. We are equal, there is no need for anything to be politicized. We are here to take the oath in this solemn session. Nothing should be politicized; let’s conduct it according to the law and order. Wishes may differ, but what must be respected are the law and order,” he said.

Aida Ferati Doli from the Vetëvendosje Movement said that they have received the citizens’ trust and that she does not see any police in the hall.

“We don’t need questions like whether we are afraid or not. We are here to constitute the North Municipal Assembly. Regarding the police, I don’t notice any in this hall,” she said.

The session continued, and the KosovaPress team did not observe any civilian police officials. Milan Radojević, the Mayor of North Mitrovica, took the oath.

“Dear councilors, you have been given the mandate to work together consistently in the Municipality of North Mitrovica, to work in the interest of the citizens and in the interest of the municipality. I believe that together we will bring prosperity to our citizens, enable a normal life, and once again be proud of the multiethnicity and coexistence that exist in our municipality,” he said.

The session concluded with Radojević’s oath. The municipality has a total of 15 assembly members, two of whom are Albanian.